Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-02-01 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] Greece has made progress since August 2015, ESM's Regling says [02] Cretan products and cuisine promoted in Binz, Germany [03] 1,012 refugees and migrants arrived at the islands of the northern Aegan in January --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] Greece has made progress since August 2015, ESM's Regling says BRUSSELS(ANA/Ch.Vassilaki) - Greece has made progress since August 2015 as part of the third programme, ESM president Klaus Regling on Wednesday said in the European Parliament. He reiterated that Greece is a special case compared to the other countries that followed a programme as it is in the middle of a third programme. "The country recorded good progress in 2014 when its economy returned to growth and regained access to the bonds market," he noted and added: "Since August 2015, Greece has made satisfactory progress in the framework of the third programme, while 32 billion euros have been disbursed." Referring to the measures for further debt relief that ESM has recently started to implement, he said that this is another sign of economic solidarity among EU member states. Finally, he reiterated that due to "favorable financing conditions," the country saves 8 billion euros per year or 4.5 pct of GDP, while the debt will be reduced by 2060 thanks to the new measures and Greece will return to debt sustainability. [02] Cretan products and cuisine promoted in Binz, Germany The Cretan products and the Cretan diet and cuisine were succesfully promoted in an event held in the town of Binz, Germany. The Deputy Governor of the Region of Crete Theano Vrentzou-Skordalaki presented the three main pillars of the regional development (primary sector, tourism, culture) and then distinguished chefs prepared meals with traditional Cretan products. On the German side participated deputies, mayors, representatives of the productive entities, businessmen, as well as media representatives who covered the events, showcasing the Cretan products. [03] 1,012 refugees and migrants arrived at the islands of the northern Aegan in January A total of 1,012 refugees and migrants arrived at the islands of the northern Aegan in January. More specifically, 456 arrived at Lesvos, 324 at Chios, and 232 at Samos. 4,846 persons (3,462 on Chios and 1,815 on Samos), who have applied for an asylum, remain stranded under the implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement.